My ex finally admitted she just wants to be friends, I can't deal with that. What should I do?

[Smartass Italian]

After a breakup back in June, trying to be friends and working things out then feeling lead on, we had a falling out for 5 months. She then blocked me, broke all lines of communication and hated me for all that time. Then she broke the silence and unblocked me and apologized for everything. Said she was sorry for being selfish, mean, heartless, etc. I was hesitant but I accepted her apology and didn't say anything after. A week later we started talking a little bit, nothing major. Then slowly we start talking more and more. Keep in mind I always had feelings for this girl, apart from her selfish behavior and immaturity back then, I still found her to be the most beautiful girl I had ever seen and virtually ideal for me, inside and out. I love her company, we get along so well, and the more I talk to her, the more I fall deeper in love with her. I seriously want to spend the rest of my life with her.

That leads us to the current problem. After her and I talking, flirting back and forth, smiles, giggles, hugs, acting like she used to act, I came out and asked her where exactly we stand because I told her I always loved her and wanted to try to give us another shot. She changed a lot for the better, is a lot more affectionate, open with me, this is the side of her I wanted back then but she was slow to open up to me. She unfortunately told me she just wanted to be friends and felt a relationship would ruin what we have now. Well little does she know, what she said I felt ruined what we have. I can't just "be friends" with this girl I am absolutely crazy about. I would do anything for her and honestly would marry this girl but all she wants now is friendship. She apologized over and over and said she was sorry she just didn't feel the same way I did and just wanted to be friends. Now I know this would be horrible for me, sitting around as just another friend who gives her compliments (which she loves compliments and is an attention seeker, loves seeing 100+ likes on her facebook pictures) as she has pretty low self esteem and insecurities herself. I dreaded picturing the day I try to "be there for her, hoping for the best" and out of the blue she is dating another guy. That would destroy me and my jealousy would be beyond my control. I can't put myself through that.

I don't want completely out of her life, I want to still talk to her, don't want to piss her off or hurt her, but I don't want to be hurt myself. I just can't deal with being just friends. What is the best way I should handle this? I feel if I completely walk away, block her, delete her, it would hurt her and she would end up hating me and I don't want that either. I want the best possible outcome in this situation, for us and especially myself and my now broken heart. What is the best options for me?
Wanted to note she hasn't dated anyone since me, still claims to have feelings for me but not enough to want to date me again for some reason. She seems not even interested in dating, she told me she liked a guy a few weeks ago but nothing became of it, she ended up walking away, though they still like each other's pictures and comments on facebook and such. Since we broke up she's been single, still kept all my stuff, was happy to be talking to me again but just doesn't want a relationship with me.

[Jess]

Unfortunatly it is hard to just be friends with an ex, its hard but u just have to accept that ahe doesnt want to ve with u, cut her off abd move on, trying to be friends with her when u atill have feelings for her will just stop u from getting over her abd moving on, be fair to uraelf and give ur heart time to heal before any point of contact us made if any

[Matt]

You leave her alone. As long as you are friends with her, you are going to be in a cycle of hope and despair. You need to wish her well and walk away.

[Linda]

Just deal with it. The worst thing you can ever do in life is to force someone to be with you!

[Common Sense]

You are right, you will be devastated when she begins to date another guy. So, you need not hurt her by abruptly backing out of the relationship, but you must do so slowly and get into an acquaintance type of relationship where you are protected from her future romances. Cus, buddy, that is going to kill you.